cartridge upgrade for Project debut III

maandjojo

Been having quite a bit of fun with vinyl again. Picked up the Project debut III and feel its a good TT for entry level but the ortofon 5E cartridge seems kind of dull. Would like a cartridge recommendation to liven up the sound. Needs to be brighter. Leaning towards the orofon red 2 or ortofon 10. Any thoughts out there.

Thanks,
Joe

Systems

Well you are about to have some fun. The only 2 Ortofon carts I've used (and liked them both) are the Black and the Kontrpunkt A. I can't comment on either of your choices. But I bet you get a bunch of suggestions here.

Dawgfish

I bought a used ProJect 1.2 table that came with an Ortofon OM30 cart and a spare OM10 needle. I think all of the OM cartiridge bodies are the same, they just have different stylus. Anyways I've had a chance to try the OM30 with the OM10 needle which would essensially be the same thing as the OM10and it sounded quite good. Highs were very detailed, but natural and it has a ton of bass. It's definitely a very dynamic cartirdge. I also have a Denon DL-160 cartridge on a Technics SL1200 Mk 2 table and like it even beter than the OM10, or OM30. It has better imaging, better detail, has less background noise, more extended highs (which it sounds like you are looking for, some might not like this), warmer mids, and less but more realistic bass than the OM10 or OM30.

maandjojo

I actually wound up getting the Grado Prestige Red. A really good fit for my turntable and it did the trick. No hum either.

Thanks,
Joe

Dawgfish

Glad to here your enjoying yor new cartridge. It's good to here you're not having any hum issues with the Grado. I am eventually going to replace the OM-30 on my ProJect 1.2 with a Grado Reference Platinum 1. I really like the way they sound.